aaron gilchrist is at the superscreen with more. >> reporter: that bill passed with a narrow 25-22 vote in the maryland state senate. it sets maryland up to become the eighth state along with d.c. to legalize gay marriage. governor o'malley has already said that he will sign the bill into law as soon as it hits his desk. there are opponents of the bill, though, who say that they will stop same-sex marriage from becoming law and force the issue to a statewide referendum. now in order for that to happen, opponents have to collect more than 55,000 signatures by july 1. if they can do that, which is widely expected to happen, a question will appear on the ballot on november 6, that's election day. it will ask all maryland residents whether same-sex marriage should be legalized. right now, polls show that marylanders are evenly split on the issue, but if it passes in referendum, gay marriage would become law effective january 1 of next year. now those who are in favor of a referendum have already set up a web site, mdpetitions.com. they're asking people who would be interested in signing to